The members of the operating
staff of Northern Illinois University have the right to organize a council to
represent their constituency. The OSC is an integral part of the university
governance system through its participation, communication, advisement, and
assistance on the resolution of issues and the formulation of policies relevant
to the general welfare of operating staff employees. The operating staff, through
its OSC, may communicate its concerns to the relevant administrative bodies,
to the appropriate vice president(s), to the president of the university, and
shall then have the right of ultimate appeal to the Board of Trustees.

The Operating Staff Council
shall consist of sixteen (16) elected representatives. There shall be at least
one elected representative from each division that
employs operating staff. The balance of open seats shall be filled by election
from members of the operating staff at large.

The OSC serves as an advisory
group to the university administration concerning the general welfare of
operating staff employees and is responsible for
appointing operating staff employees as representatives on various university
committees. It provides a means of effective communication between members
of the operating
staff and the university administration. In addition, the OSC plans and
organizes recreational and educational activities for the operating staff
and authorizes
expenditures of funds under its jurisdiction.

The Operating Staff Council
shall:

Work closely with Human
Resource Services and advise the university administration and other relevant
bodies concerning the general welfare of operating staff
employees;

Initiate studies or direct
communications designed to accomplish more effectively and efficiently the
purpose of the university through the operating staff.

Operating staff employees
in status positions are eligible to become elected members of the OSC. The
manner and process for determining eligibility are
contained in the Operating Staff Council Bylaws. Each representative
shall serve a three-year term. The president of OSC shall have served at least
one year on
OSC.

The president of OSC or
the president's designee shall be the OSC's voting representative on the University
Council for the term of office of the OSC president.
The OSC shall choose an additional ex officio, nonvoting member to serve on
the University Council from the operating staff at large. The ex officio,
nonvoting
member is required to attend all OSC meetings. Term of office is one year.